Sarah Palin in Newsweek: “I can win”

posted at 8:45 pm on July 10, 2011 by Tina Korbe

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin hasn’t yet revealed whether she plans to run for the GOP presidential nomination, but she’s confident she could win if she really wanted.

“I believe that I can win a national election,” Palin said recently in a conversation with Newsweek’s Peter J. Boyer. “I’m not so egotistical as to believe that it has to be me, or it can only be me, to turn things around. But I do believe that I can win.”

Perhaps her popularity among Republicans and conservatives warrants that pretty impressive confidence (after all, a countless many continue to clamor for her entrance into the presidential race), but, for whatever the polls are worth, Palin hasn’t yet bested President Barack Obama in a hypothetical presidential match-up (at least that I’ve seen). But, then, of the present GOP candidates, only former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has fared favorably against the incumbent, anyway, so maybe Palin has a point. If anything, the utter lack of cockiness among the current Republican contenders (with, again, the possible exception of Romney, who was cool and confident recently to suggest the firing of an Obama economic adviser) might be just what has caused so many to describe this year’s field as “dullsville.” Maybe the Palin presumption is what this race needs. Maybe, with Palin competing for the nomination, the other Republicans would kick it into even higher gear.

Fortunately for Palin (as she herself recognizes) and probably for the GOP, it’s still very early and the field is far from set.

“Thank goodness the field is not yet set,” Palin said in the interview with Newsweek. “I think that there does need to be more vigorous debate. There needs to be a larger field. And there’s still time. There’s still months ahead, where more folks can jump in and start articulating their positions.”

But, if she’s going to get in, I wish she’d get in now, so folks would stop evaluating her non-campaign-campaign tactics and start talking again about her policy positions (which, at least as she laid them out in the Newsweek article, are as solid as ever).

Why are people insisting that Sarah Palin declare she is running? Why can’t they can’t figure out that she has never stopped running since 2008?
Palin doesn’t have to announce anything until she feels the time is right. Look at her Facebook post… look at the Newsweek article… look at the movie The Undefeated opening this coming week… do you need to read it in print? are you that feeble minded that you can’t see what has been obvious for a long time?
Simple question…. what do you think the polls will look like once Palin gets on the campaign trail and the underground network of Palinistas gets activated?

Will she or won’t she? Yet by that indecision the rest of the field is forced to make choices in where they stand with respect to her. That allows us to see where they stand and why…

And yet people call her an idiot.

I call that effective use of your position and how you are perceived. Do remember that the opposite of love is not hate but indifference: if you are indifferent you cannot be swayed one way or another. Hate can flip to love as it is an inverse of emotion not the opposite, but it takes a lot of energy to get the indifferent to feel one way or the other. Love or hate her, she sways you and changes your perception.

As much as I want to believe…I just can’t. I think too many Americans are brainwashed by the media and are just too stupid too see past the media smears. Especially too many woman(no offense ladies). Every single woman in my office with the exception of one were just too dumb to see past it all. It was like a routine. Almost everyday they had some other nonsense to gossip about Sarah. I can’t tell you how many times the idiots in my office repeated that “I can see Russia from my house” line as if it was fact. When ever I told them that it was Tina Fey who actually said that they looked flabbergasted. Or how she supposedly didn’t know that North Korea and South Korea where governed under separate governments.

I want to believe but I think media ruined her chances and brain dead idiots bought every ounce of that snake oil. Too many for her to have a chance of winning I fear.

“The mainstream press is becoming less and less relevant,” she said, adding that she would have no hesitation in shunning media outlets she does not trust.
“I would say no to those who have lied about me. There is no need to reward bad behavior. I’ve learned. You know, once bitten, twice shy. I have learned.”

“Thank goodness the field is not yet set,” Palin said in the interview with Newsweek. “I think that there does need to be more vigorous debate. There needs to be a larger field. And there’s still time. There’s still months ahead, where more folks can jump in and start articulating their positions.”

And yet who will listen to that and not want to have her march to their drum, not her own?

With that she asks for understanding and gets visceral reaction.

Truly a remarkable woman to ask for so little and get so much reaction.

But, if she’s going to get in, I wish she’d get in now, so folks would stop evaluating her non-campaign-campaign tactics and start talking again about her policy positions (which, at least as she laid them out in the Newsweek article, are as solid as ever).

She does need to do it if she is going to. Right now we have a couple Dems (Romney, Huntsman), A telephone tough-girl(ZZZ-Paw), Good guy but not inspiring(Santorum), class clowns(Newt, Cain, and one very good woman who has to overcome the flake label (MB). I am past ready for Perry and Palin to make a decision.

But, if she’s going to get in, I wish she’d get in now, so folks would stop evaluating her non-campaign-campaign tactics and start talking again about her policy positions (which, at least as she laid them out in the Newsweek article, are as solid as ever).

When have people talked about her policy positions? I agree I would love that to be the topic of discussions but I doubt we will get that wish! She certainly has put them out there but for some reason the way she talks, looks, or some other silly topic seems to get top billing.

But, if she’s going to get in, I wish she’d get in now, so folks would stop evaluating her non-campaign-campaign tactics and start talking again about her policy positions (which, at least as she laid them out in the Newsweek article, are as solid as ever).

C’mon Tina, were you born yesterday? She should announce so that the media will talk about her policy positions? What makes you think the media will do anything different than what they’ve been doing?

We’re being pushed by the media to settle on a candidate now, so that the Left can set about destroying them. We would be better served to have the field left a toss-up for a while longer. And no one can consider the primaries “settled” while popular candidates haven’t officially decided whether to enter. I believe that is a public service.

Every single woman in my office with the exception of one were just too dumb to see past it all.

jawkneemusic on July 10, 2011 at 8:59 PM

Then just keep doing your part pointing out the truth to them. We can’t sit back and expect the ones we want elected to do all the work to save the country. We all have do our part or we’ve already lost what America is.

But, if she’s going to get in, I wish she’d get in now, so folks would stop evaluating her non-campaign-campaign tactics and start talking again about her policy positions (which, at least as she laid them out in the Newsweek article, are as solid as ever).

I didn’t realize Sarah Palin had that much control over the national conversation. I’d say that sounds like a ham-handed compliment. Thanks, Tina.

she said, adding that she would have no hesitation in shunning media outlets she does not trust.
“I would say no to those who have lied about me. There is no need to reward bad behavior. I’ve learned. You know, once bitten, twice shy. I have learned.”

If she’d like to see a larger field, more voices articulating their positions and she thinks she has what it takes, she should jump in. I’m not understanding the hesitation.

Bee on July 10, 2011 at 9:10 PM

And your lack of understanding necessarily makes it a bad thing? I’m not entirely sold on the meme that it’s some sort of genius campaign move either, but she gets a lot of credit — right or wrong — for having control over the national conversation.

She’s running. She has been running. She is laying the foundations for her policy platform with every FB post. She is honing her speaking voice in interviews, laid a 21st century framework in social media and grassroots networks. Built important alliances in key regions of the country.

She’s running and has been for sometime. Supporters need to recognize this and start working -preparing the way with those around them.

It is later than you think, and nobody is saying time to settle. It is time to know the options though.

Southernblogger on July 10, 2011 at 9:11 PM

I know exactly how late it is, which is not at all. I would imagine she’s waiting until after “The Undefeated” has its national premiere, though. Possibly also until her two years post-governorship, but I find the movie a more compelling reason. If she were running, the movie would only be seen as a long-form campaign ad. Not running, it can be a motivational tool for all conservatives no matter who they support. It’s much more effective as the latter.

We’re being pushed by the media to settle on a candidate now, so that the Left can set about destroying them. We would be better served to have the field left a toss-up for a while longer. And no one can consider the primaries “settled” while popular candidates haven’t officially decided whether to enter. I believe that is a public service.

If she’d like to see a larger field, more voices articulating their positions and she thinks she has what it takes, she should jump in. I’m not understanding the hesitation.

Bee on July 10, 2011 at 9:10 PM

I don’t exactly know the legal, personal or scheduling reasons behind her hesitation. I am pretty sure she’s got a lot to consider and that I can’t fully understand what’s going on in her private life.

Personally, I’m very eager for her to get in, but that’s due to my selfishness and impatience. She doesn’t owe me anything. The only thing I’m concerned about is the huge amounts of unsolicited volunteer work from many of her supporters. There have been a ton of clues indicating that she’s running, and they’re running with it, with a lot of effort. I hope she makes a decision soon, at least to unleash these people or to tell them not to waste their time anymore.

Sarah will anounce or pass when it is best for her, she is an an independant leader and won’t be goaded into making a move until she is ready.
People have been fooled by the narrative and continue to underestimate this woman, plus most of us haven’t seen too many examples of a true leader, so it’s kind of a new experience.
From what I can tell and contrary to what Miz Couric implied, Sarah does a lot of reading and I’m guessing Sun Tzu is high on her list.

If she’d like to see a larger field, more voices articulating their positions and she thinks she has what it takes, she should jump in. I’m not understanding the hesitation.

Bee on July 10, 2011 at 9:10 PM

She’s also said there’s plenty of time. So it’s not hesitation as much as it’s a timing issue. Right now, everyone is imploding including the media. If Palin jumps in now, it’d be colossal stupidity. You NEVER jump in when everyone destroying each other. You wait until afterwards and take the spoils of war.

There’s also the fact that she wants to fight the “quitter” meme. How? By making sure that people understand she wants to enter only if needed. That she’s doing this for the people and not the title unlike another person who only wants the title and not the job. Note that she’ll then be able to use her stepping aside as proof of this. As more proof, her waiting until later on when many pundits have already said it’s too late will further that claim because right now, she can’t raise money for her campaign and can actually be seen as a disadvantage.

So there’s no hesitation at all. It’s just plain old stupidity to jump in now regardless of how many here say they want her to decide now. She’s planning to use the media and establishment’s memes against them.

So there’s no hesitation at all. It’s just plain old stupidity to jump in now regardless of how many here say they want her to decide now. She’s planning to use the media and establishment’s memes against them.

MrX on July 10, 2011 at 9:35 PM

They want her to decide now because as long as she doesn’t decide one way or the other, their candidates won’t get any money or support. Not enough anyway. And the spotlight for once won’t be on Palin but one them. Even with minimal spotlight haven’t we all concluded that the current field is pathetic? If she gets in she’s going to get all the hits.

I hope she makes a decision soon, at least to unleash these people or to tell them not to waste their time anymore.

Dongemaharu on July 10, 2011 at 9:27 PM

That’s honestly it. The coy reticence while not openly supporting anyone on the field (when she knows her decision already and is fully aware of her supporters’ investment) seems a bit…disingenuous? I don’t know. It’s probably just impatience on my part, as well.

So there’s no hesitation at all. It’s just plain old stupidity to jump in now regardless of how many here say they want her to decide now. She’s planning to use the media and establishment’s memes against them.

Neither do I. But it doesn’t matter if I understand anymore than it matters if you do. My first concern is doing the right thing by my country and my fellow Americans. I am confident that Sarah Palin will do what she believes is right. In that respect, she has a pretty good track record.

Bill Clinton declared in October. I don’t see why she has to declare before then. Whenever she declares she already has a ready made base of a top three candidate, with fundraising, campaigning, issues not being a problem. She will need to cross the 5 point gap she has with Romney in primaries and that she can do with in a few weeks of contesting.

SO.(hit submit too soon)… I already made my point. Shit or get off the pot. All this talk and for what?

CW on July 10, 2011 at 9:45 PM

I don’t know. Why are you here? Is Palin sending out some freaky deaky electromagnetic waves to zap your brain and participate in all the blustery bullshit that you’re oh so tired of? It boggles the mind…

“Thank goodness the field is not yet set,” Palin said in the interview with Newsweek. “I think that there does need to be more vigorous debate. There needs to be a larger field. And there’s still time. There’s still months ahead, where more folks can jump in and start articulating their positions.”

I’m all for a more “vigorous debate”, but if she’s going to have some major media event every time they “jump in” and start “articulating their positions” she only serves to suck up all the oxygen in the room. Either fish or cut bait. This game of straddle is getting annoying particularly when it borders on the disingenuous (as noted above).

P.S. And while I agree that her policy positions are solid, I really, really don’t think she can win…but maybe that’s just me.

But, if she’s going to get in, I wish she’d get in now, so folks would stop evaluating her non-campaign-campaign tactics and start talking again about her policy positions (which, at least as she laid them out in the Newsweek article, are as solid as ever).

I think she’s impatient and doesn’t like the hits MB is taking from Palin fans. Just my guess.

alwaysfiredup on July 10, 2011 at 9:46 PM

But she seemed to be talking up Mitt as the type of candidate that she liked. Not sure. she didn’t mention MB in her post at all. I got the impatient angle but I didn’t get anything else. I don’t know maybe it’s just me tonight but the post made no sense to me.